How work-from-home impacts productivity

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditional way of working, forcing organizations around the world to adapt to remote work. In Africa, where the technology backbone for virtual work was lagging behind, the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards working from home. Wale Adediran, the President and Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, highlighted the positive impact of remote work on productivity in Africa during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Adediran discussed how the African workforce, which had been years behind in terms of technology for virtual work, quickly adapted to remote work practices during the pandemic. He emphasized that what was once considered impossible has now become a reality, with virtual work proving to be productive and effective. Adediran mentioned that discussions at a recent Pan-African conference revealed that remote work is here to stay in Africa, challenging the belief that it was not feasible in the region. The conversation then shifted to the need for a continent-wide HR strategy to support organizations in managing the challenges of remote work. Adediran outlined the efforts of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria to establish a standard of practice for human resource management professionals across the continent. He highlighted the importance of aligning workforce management with the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and the African agenda 2063. Furthermore, Adediran discussed the significant work ahead in managing the challenges of remote work and maintaining productivity levels. He described the collaboration with other African human resource management institutes to develop a world-class standard that addresses the nuances of individual countries while supporting the integration of the African workforce into a common trade area. Adediran shared insights from a recent Pan-African conference, which brought together over 2,500 delegates from across the continent to discuss the establishment of a Pan-African practice standard. The conference featured global leaders in human resource management, operational safety and health, and coaching, emphasizing the importance of leading the change management process to fully realize the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. In response to a question about the feedback from organizations on managing remote work, Adediran highlighted the need for robust technological infrastructure to support virtual work culture. He stressed the importance of government and investor support in providing the necessary digital infrastructure for remote work to thrive in Africa. Overall, Adediran's insights underscore the transformative impact of remote work on productivity in Africa and the strategic efforts being made to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the new way of working. As organizations continue to adapt to the evolving work landscape, embracing remote work practices and technological advancements will be key to fostering productivity and driving economic growth across the continent.